I hear it all the time from people who are starting a new exercise routine. Somebody asks why they are working out so hard, and they answer, “I want 6 pack abs!” Most of the time I sit back and giggle a little bit because I know that they are doing a whole lot of work, and they will not get the results that they want. If you want 6 pack abs, you will be surprised to learn that doing a lot of sit-ups and crunches is not the answer. There are several mistakes people make when they decide that they want a 6 pack, and I hope to save you from the trouble.
I Want 6 Pack Abs Mistake #1 – Too Much Ab Work
The most common mistake that I see people making with regards to getting a 6 pack is that they spend way too much time doing ab specific exercises. I know what you are, thinking, “Ummm… don’t I need to work out my abs to get a six pack?” Well, the answer is yes. But your time will be much better served doing full body exercises that also work the abs (see here for a list of the best ab exercises that are not ab exercises). The reason for this is that to get a 6 pack, you not only need to build your ab muscles, you also need to burn fat. Spending the time doing full body exercises that target the core will help you to burn more fat and trigger a much greater metabolic response. In short, you will build your ab muscles and burn the fat to show them off!
I Want 6 Pack Abs Mistake #2 – Don’t Be Afraid Of Heavier Weights
The prevailing wisdom is, if you want to burn fat and build lean muscle, use light weights and do a lot of reps. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The best way for you to burn calories and have the lean, strong, tone body that you want is to do regular intense interval training that incorporates heavy resistance. “But won’t that bulk me up?” is the most common question this suggestion brings, and the answer is no as long as you are not eating too many calories. You will burn fat and build lean muscle and get the 6 pack that you have been dreaming of.
I Want 6 Pack Abs Mistake #3 – Stop The Cardio – Now!
With all you hear about fat burning zones and total calories burned, it makes weight loss seem so easy. But the truth is that most people, though they incorporate cardio into their routine, do not begin to burn fat or lose weight. Why is this? Well, instead of focusing on the number of calories burned, you should be focusing on the hormonal and metabolic response that your body has. Variable intensity training or interval training is much more effective than a cardio routine at burning fat and building lean muscle, which is the quickest path to the 6 pack that you have been craving.
I hope that you can take this information and get the 6 pack abs that you want. If you are serious about getting a six pack, there is a program that I can’t recommend highly enough because it works. It is called The Truth About Abs, and it will expand on these tips and add many more and get you on your way to a six pack. If you want a 6 pack, this is the best and fastest way to get one, guaranteed!
I wholly agree with your view on cardio vs interval training. I personally have wasted so many hours pounding the pavement (not to mention damage done to my joints and back) believing that running at a moderate pace for 45 to 90 minutes was the ultimate way to burn fat.
Heavy weight training and high intensity interval training are, without a doubt, the number one way to get rid of fat, boost your metabolism, and get that six-pack you’re talking about.
Great article! Keep up the great work.
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Thanks for the info here. In my own experience the best way to burn fat is to get your heart pounding up to 145bpm or up. Coupled with good body exercise and the most important of all strict diet. The best abs is not made in the gym, it is made in the kitchen. Watch what you’re eating, avoid fatty foods. I suggest eat whole grain foods, low calorie diet does the trick. Eat foods high in protein but low in cholesterol levels. Egg whites are great source of protein, almonds, legumes and green leafy vegetables. Cheers!
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Excellent article, thanks. I’ve wondered about the heavy vs light weights argument for burning fat or growing muscle mass. I had been trying a ‘compromise’ of medium weights and as many reps as fast as I could!! Will try heavier ones now to see what happens
Whoa this article is a wake up call. I totally was following all the wrong paths that you mentioned. I will incorporate heavy weight training into future exercise and see if that improves my results. One question for you though, if I ride my bike for 90 minutes and burn 1200 calories, why won’t that help burn belly fat?
Thanks
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@Joe – It’s not that you won’t burn belly fat riding your bike, but you could be burning muscle as well. It is more a question of efficiency. You could ride your bike for 90 minutes, then spend extra time on top of that working your abs and eventually get a six pack. I would much rather spend 30-45 minutes in an intense total body workout that not only burns fat, but builds lean muscle as well.